Sweden is fourth European country to launch Sandoz’s award-winning new inhaler for patients with asthma and COPD

Sandoz Sweden launches both 50-500 and 50-250 microgram dosage forms, following national marketing authorization earlier this year

Airflusal Forspiro offers proven combination of salmeterol and fluticasone propionate in an innovative new device, co-developed with patients

Holzkirchen, June 23, 2014: Sandoz today announced the launch in Sweden of Airflusal® Forspiro®, an innovative new inhaler for patients with asthma and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Sweden is the fourth European country to launch Airflusal Forspiro, following Denmark, Norway and Germany; the Sandoz product was also launched in South Korea in May. Sweden has approved the 50-500 µg and 50-250 µg dosage forms for the continuous treatment of patients above 12 years of age with persistent asthma or for symptomatic treatment of COPD in the same patient group.

“We are pleased that respiratory patients in Sweden will now also enjoy the benefits of this affordable, innovative and award-winning new option,” said Jan-Torsten Tews, Sandoz’s Head of Global Respiratory. “Airflusal Forspiro has already been approved in eight European countries, showing that we can offer patients and payors what they are looking for – tried and trusted medicines combined with innovative devices that fully meet the clinical bar.”

Airflusal Forspiro offers the proven combination of salmeterol (a long-acting inhaled β2-agonist) and fluticasone propionate (an inhaled corticosteroid) in an innovative new device. The product’s safety, efficacy and equivalence have been proven in multiple clinical trials 1,2. It was developed at Aeropharm GmbH in Rudolstadt, Germany, Sandoz’s global respiratory Center of Excellence. Sandoz collaborated with UK-based Vectura, a respiratory product development company, in the design and development. The innovative and intuitive-to-use design of the inhaler was awarded the Red Dot Product Design award in 2011, an internationally recognized quality seal awarded by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Essen, Germany.

In order to improve patient experience with inhalation devices, Sandoz collaborated closely with patients during the development process. The device includes multiple feedback mechanisms such as visual control features, which help reassure the patient about dosing, a simple lever arm to load the dose, and a clear and accurate dose counter.

About Sandoz

Sandoz, the generic pharmaceuticals division of Novartis, is a global leader in the generic pharmaceutical sector. Sandoz employs over 26,500 employees and its products are available in more than 160 countries, offering a broad range of high-quality, affordable products that are no longer protected by patents. With USD 9.2 billion in sales in 2013, Sandoz has a portfolio of approximately 1,100 molecules, and holds the #1 position globally in biosimilars as well as in generic injectables, ophthalmics, dermatology and antibiotics, complemented by leading positions in the cardiovascular, metabolism, central nervous system, pain, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and hormonal therapeutic areas. Sandoz develops, produces, and markets these medicines, as well as active pharmaceutical and biotechnological substances. Nearly half of Sandoz's portfolio is in differentiated products, which are defined as products that are more difficult to scientifically develop and manufacture than standard generics.

In addition to strong organic growth since consolidating its generics businesses under the Sandoz brand name in 2003, Sandoz has benefitted from strong growth of its acquisitions, which include Lek (Slovenia), Sabex (Canada), Hexal (Germany), Eon Labs (US), EBEWE Pharma (Austria), Oriel Therapeutics (US), and Fougera Pharmaceuticals (US).